Kinesiology, Vol. 46 No. Supplement 1., 2014.
Original scientific paper
Biochemical, hormonal and psychological monitoring of eight weeks endurance running training program in female runners
Irena Auersperger
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Branko Škof
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Bojan Leskošek
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Bojan Knap
; Department of Nephrology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Aleš Jerin
; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry,University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mitja Lainščak
; Division of Cardiology, University Clinic Golnik, Golnik, Slovenia
Tanja Kajtna
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Athletes improve performance when optimal balance between training stress and recovery exists. If out of proportion, overtraining syndrome (OTS) can ensue. Currently several biomarkers are used to detect OTS, but none meets all prespecified criteria for definite diagnosis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of eight week endurance running training program on biochemical, hormonal, and psychological parameters in female runners. Seventeen runners were recruited for. The physical training that consisted of two, three-week progressive overload periods, each followed by a week taper period, and concluded with a 10 or 21km competitive run. Samples were taken at six time-points during the eight-week training program: Baseline (Baseline), after the first and second three-week training loads (Load1, Load2), after each taper
week (Taper1 and Taper2), and post-study (Recovery). At each testing, the subjects were asked to complete the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ). At the completion of the programme significant improvement of physical performance was observed (VO2max +4.3%; p = 0.03).. At Recovery the cortisol
values significantly decreased compared to Baseline (p = 0.002) and to Taper2 (p = 0.008). In RESTQ we found that the recovery subscales sum was significantly lower at the recovery period when compared to the second taper period, and self – efficiency increased at Taper 2. We also found significantly higher self – regulation during resting periods when compared to baseline. The main finding of the current study indicates that the performed training was well-balanced between stress and recovery periods, resulting in a positive training effect. It seems that psychological parameters are more sensitive markers than biochemical and hormonal one to detect changes in stress/recovery. The RESTQ may provide a practical tool for recognizing OTS in its early stages.
Keywords
training status; RESTQ; biochemistry; overreaching; stress; recovery
Hrčak ID:
127836
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2014.
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